A White Rock resident is calling on the city to review its water-services bylaw and fee schedule after learning her building would be charged for four times as much water as its occupants consume.
Mary McArthur made the request at city council Monday, when she told city officials of a notice she received from the city in February that stated her Beachview Avenue triplex had been charged incorrectly by Epcor, and that their quarterly bill would be going up to $610 from $94.
McArthur said the increase stems from the size of water line her building has; most single-family homes have a 5/8-inch line, while larger multi-family buildings can have up to a four-inch line. McArthur’s building has a two-inch line, as well as a secondary two-inch line to be used if the sprinkler system is activated.
The city’s fee schedule charges residences a flat rate based on the size of their line, which allows for a certain amount of consumption per quarter; the triplex in question is allocated 12,000 cubic feet of water, despite using on average only 3,000 cubic feet per quarter, according to McArthur.
McArthur told Peace Arch News that while the increased water bill is troubling, she is more concerned about the lack of incentive for residents to conserve water based on the current fee structure.
“The important thing, I think, is not the fee. It’s the fact that we’re wasting water and people are being overcharged for the water they are using,” she said. “If you’re going to charge me for 12,000 cubic feet, I might let my taps run all day long. There’s no incentive to conserve water.”
City manager Dan Bottrill told PAN that McArthur “makes a really good point” regarding water conservation, but that the city’s billing program was based closely on what former utility owner Epcor had in place because “the city had no history of consumption when it bought the utility.”
“Once we’ve had the opportunity to have a history of consumption, we’re in a better position to adjust our rate schedule so it’s more consumption based.”
Regarding McArthur’s specific case – which was referred to staff following her delegation Monday – Bottrill said it was an “interesting situation.”
“Staff will be looking at the situation to determine what options, if any, are available,” he said.
McArthur said she is satisfied with council’s response this week and looks forward to a solution that will encourage water conservation in the city.
“It’s our most important resource,” she said.